Virginia Declares State of Emergency Over Armed Militia Threat to Storm Capital

The fight for the right to bear arms in the Commonwealth of Virginia has taken a serious turn this week.

For months on end, the newly Democratic majority in the Virginia statehouse had been working to reform the state’s gun laws, often in ways that didn’t jibe well with supporters of the Second Amendment.  The resistance to these changes has been swift and stern, particularly online where hundreds of pro-2A memes have been shared innumerable times, often with themes of Civil War or anti-government action.

Today, Old Dominion declared a state of emergency over the matter, as a massive rally planned for Monday looms large.

In response to what he described as “credible intelligence” of threats of violence at an upcoming gun rights rally in Richmond, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has declared a state of emergency and will temporarily ban individuals from carrying firearms on Capitol grounds.

The governor said at a press conference Wednesday that authorities believe “armed militia groups plan to storm the Capitol” during the January 20 rally.

He also said that law enforcement had intercepted threats and “extremist rhetoric” similar to what was observed prior to the violent Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville in August 2017. “We will not allow that mayhem and violence to happen here,” he said.

There was even a plan to storm the Capitol.

“No weapons will be allowed on Capitol grounds,” said Northam, a Democrat. “Everything from sticks and bats to chains and projectiles…. The list also includes firearms. It makes no sense to ban every other weapon but allow firearms when intelligence shows that armed militia groups plan to storm the Capitol.”

According to online sources, at least 5 dozen buses have been procured to transport attendees to the rally, while event organizers are warning state officials that as many as 100,000 could show up.